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Session 2Defining Theology
“What does it mean to ‘do’ theology?”
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Protestant
Eastern Orthodox
Prophecy
Postmodernism
TruthRoman Catholic
Cessationism
Relativism
Epistemology
Special Revelation
Exclusivism
DenominationsTraditions of Theology
Protestant Theology
RationalismModernism
Continuationism
Pluralism
Experience
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Question
What is theology?
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Defining Theology
What is Theology?
Write a one or two sentence definition of theology:
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Defining Theology
“The study or science of God.”
–Millard Erickson Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2001), 22
“The Science of God and of the relations between God and the universe.”
–A. H. Strong
“Rational discussionrespecting the deity.”
–Augustine
“Thinking about Godand expressing those thoughts in some way.”
–Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9
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Defining Theology
“The science of God or of religion; the science which treats of the existence, character, and attributes of God, his laws and government, the doctrines we are to believe, and the duties we are to practice; divinity; (as more commonly understood) the knowledge derivable from the Scriptures, the systematic exhibition of revealed truth, the science of Christian faith and life.”
—Webster’s Dictionary
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Question
Who is a theologian?
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Defining Theology
Who is a theologian?Anyone who has asked the ultimate
questions of life:• Why am I here?• What is life?• What happens after death?• What is the difference between
right and wrong?• Why is there something instead of
nothing?
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Defining TheologyThe question is not, “Who is a theologian?” but “What kind of theologian am I going to be?” Are you going to be a good theologian or a bad theologian? This is a more accurate question because, as one writer put it, “not all theologies are equal.”
–Source unknown
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Defining Theology“We live in what may be the most anti-intellectual period in the history of Western civilization. . . We must have passion—indeed hearts on fire for the things of God. But that passion must resist with intensity the anti-intellectual spirit of the world.”
—R. C. Sproul“Burning Hearts Are Not Nourished by Empty Heads,” Christianity Today 26 (Sept. 3, 1982), 100
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Defining Theology
There are basically six arenas in which we can do theology:
1. Tabloid Theology2. Folk Theology3. Lay Theology4. Ministerial Theology5. Professional Theology6. Academic Theology
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Defining Theology
Tabloid Lay Ministerial Professional AcademicFolk
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Defining theology
Describe this chart in relation to practicing medicine
Tabloid Lay Ministerial Professional AcademicFolk
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Defining Theology
Now describe this chart in relation to practicing theology
Tabloid Lay Ministerial Professional AcademicFolk
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Defining Theology
Tabloid Theologian: One who constructs his or her theology based upon naïve hearsay information that has no basis in fact and very little, if any, evidence to be believed. Many times people are Tabloid theologians because of the theology’s appearance of originality. As well, it can be “cutting edge” in many people’s minds.
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Defining Theology
What are some examples of Tabloid theology?
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Defining Theology
Tabloid theology examples
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Defining Theology
• Hitchhiking angel• Growing fire hose• “I Saw Heaven”
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Defining Theology
Folk Theologian: One who uncritically and unreflectively constructs his or her theology according to traditions and religious folklore. The Folk theologian is often very dogmatic and militant about his or her beliefs.
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Defining Theology
What are some examples of Folk theology?
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Defining Theology
Folk theology examples:• Views of Heaven
(clouds, harps) • Ghosts• Angels’ wings • Good works salvation• All people are good at
heart• Crosses ward off evil
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Defining Theology
Folk theology examples:• Peter’s gate• Devil’s pitchfork• “God helps those who help
themselves”• Evidences of demon possession• People who commit suicide
automatically go to Hell• When you die there will be a
screen in heaven which shows to the world all the bad things you have done
• Name-it-claim-it, health-and-wealth gospel
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Defining Theology
Why do you think that it is so hard for Folk theologians to learn?
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Defining Theology
Lay Theologian: A layperson who constructs his or her theology and who, unlike the folk and tabloid theologian,is . . . (1) more reflective upon learned theological concepts (2) likely to formulate a system of beliefs which distinguishes between essential and non-essential doctrine (3) more critical of unfounded traditions(4) willing to use study tools
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Defining Theology
Ministerial Theologian: A layperson who constructs his or her theology and who, unlike the lay theologian is . . . (1) educated in theological methodology(2) able to use study tools and resources at a more effective level(3) able to openly critique personal theology against competing models(4) intent on devoting more time to reflection so that theological integration can take place
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Defining Theology
Professional Theologian: One who constructs his or her theology and makes a living doing so. They usually. . .(1) are didactically purposed toward lay and pastoral theologians(2) conduct practical original research(3) critically evaluate common theological trends and folk theology.
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Defining Theology
Professional theologians are often accused of “quenching the Spirit.” Why do you think they receive this accusation?
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Defining Theology
Academic Theologian: A professional theologian who constructs his theology with an overly speculative and critical spirit. His dialogue can usually come only with other theologians. It is often called “Ivory Tower theology.”
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Defining Theology
What are some examples of Academic theology?
Why do you think someone would want to be an
Academic theologian?
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Defining Theology
Sensational
Tabloid Lay Ministerial Professional AcademicFolk
Skeptical
Critical
Gates permanently lockedGates wide open
Naïve
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Defining Theology
Acceptable range
Tabloid Lay Ministerial Professional AcademicFolk
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Defining Theology“Theology is for everyone. Indeed, everyone needs to be a theologian. In reality, everyone is a theologian—of one sort or another. And therein lies the problem. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur theologian or a professional theologian, but there is everything wrong with being an ignorant or sloppy theologian.”
—Charles RyrieBasic Theology (Wheaton, IL: 1986), 9.
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Defining Theology
How do we “do” theology every day?
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Defining Theology
How do we “do” theology every day? In other words, how does our theology influence our daily routine?
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Defining Theology
1. When we think about God. 2. When we share the Gospel. 3. When we interpret the Bible. 4. When we get sick.5. When we defend the faith.6. When we plan for the future.7. When we choose schooling for our
children.
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Defining Theology
8. When we vote.9. When we attempt to deal with
sin in our lives.10.When we decide on who we
marry.
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Defining Theology
What is theology?
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credo ut intelligam“I believe in order to understand”
This is a Latin phrase first put forth by Augustine, then popularized by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109). Augustine’s full statement was “I don’t understand so that I might believe, but I believe so that I might understand.” This idea gives emphasis to the priority and necessity of belief in the Christian’s intellectual pursuits. One cannot truly and fully understand spiritual matters unless he or she first believes them to be true.
Defining Theology
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This is a Latin phrase coined by Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109) meaning “faith seeking understanding.” This is one of the earliest definitions of theology. It starts with the assumption that we are believers and, as such, we are seeking to understand our beliefs better.
fides quaerens intellectum“Faith seeking understanding”
Defining Theology
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